Think of the world as a massive mathematical equation. It is based on laws and precise rules. At the core of this equation is Dharma.
Dharma can mean many things depending on the context it is used in. We will focus on three types: Universal, Situational and Personal. They inform each other and build on the concept of Appropriate Response.
Universal Dharma is based on the golden rule of non-injury. It is found in every religion, it may be called different names but is refers to not bringing injury to others. In Vedanta[1] it specifically means not to injure another in thought, words and deeds. Across traditions it appears as:
- Christianity: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Luke 6:31)
- Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” (Udanavarga 5:18)
- Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.” (Mahabharata 5:1517)
- Islam: “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” (Hadith)
- Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.” (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)
Boiling down to: Treat every being with the same care and respect you would wish for yourself — never cause harm and seek to leave others better, not worse, for having met you.
Situational Dharma then is the application of this universal rule, moment to moment. Life is ever-changing and complex. A knife is a weapon in one hand and a healing tool in another. How to navigate the difference is the essence of Situational Dharma.
Personal Dharma is your personal design, constituted in your abilities, talents and tendencies. This design is why we use astrology, numerology, personality testing such as enneagram; we are moved to find out why we are here. It is your unique set and mix that drives you to fulfil your function in this world. Literally what you were born to contribute to the collective.
The Dharma of work works these three into everyday life. For the most part people seeking meaning and knowledge are no longer renunciates living high up in the mountains. They are businesspeople, professionals and working folk; out day in and day out, driving to work, sitting in meetings and just showing up to make their contribution.
The Dharma of Work is the focus of bringing non-injury into the workplace and looking at what that means and how to apply it specifically to the situation (workplace).
For instance, the Dharma of BodyTalk is centred in the understanding of whole and completeness, as BodyTalk is a consciousness health care system. If the practitioner does not understand that their client is not broken and do need fixing, they will fall out of the Dharma of the field they work in. Unless there is a contributing attitude and not a grasping attitude, the practice does not seem to launch. The Dharma of BodyTalk seems to work out extractors over time, naturally and without fuzz and many are left wondering why the clients did not show up. The universal dharma here is more specific than just non-injury, it is holding the individual as its true form, Consciousness. The Situational Dharma is bringing that into every session by seeing the wholeness of the client, even if they can’t. The Personal Dharma is your approach to your practice, some are more talk therapy with sessions, others more focused on tranquillity, based on the core of the person.
The Dharma of each company may be different; it is based on the values and service/goods the company supplies to its clients. If the company does not care for its clients’ needs, over time Dharma will ensure that it folds. Everything in the world lasts only to serve the collective, which includes EVERYTHING. Not just people but every animal and plant, all making up the sum total of the world.
As an employee the Dharma of Work is normally specifically listed in your employee contract, from what is expected of you to working hours. The Dharma includes seeing the company as a person (entity) which requires the same non-injury application. Yet many employees see their office as resource station for their personal needs. By agreeing to a contract, the employee is agreeing to the Dharma of the company, to add their Personal Dharma within the Situational Dharma of work environment.
Many may understand the universal dimension of work, but in the situation they aim for their own wants only. Mostly this is because people don’t have contributing mindsets and are looking for what they can get. If your wanting is not in alignment with the needs of the total, you will simply not get it and, if you do, it will be very short-lived.
The equation is always trying to balance itself and that balance is based on the needs of the total. Your Personal Dharma is specifically designed to ensure that you add your qualities to the collective and thus make the world a more efficient place.
Unfortunately, most are too late in starting to ask what am I suppose to contribute here and focus on the getting (normally money, but could be power or sex). We are more simplistic in our base wants than we care to admit.
If we understand the Dharma of work, we could transform our job into a practice that will have benefit for our own personal development and bring great peace in our work day. I was fortunate to have a first teacher that focused on using work life to tune the spirit. What he meant was that you use the environment of the work day to learn discipline and inner mastery, instead of just what you can extract from the employer. Thus by focusing on how you engage moment to moment, you benefitted the collective and yourself, as you are part of the collective too.
For every situation, before responding, run your response through the triangle of Dharma. Does it harm anyone, how do I apply that non-injury in this moment and is it in alignment with my own design. If we understood this, we would never tell anyone what to do, as we do not have their Personal Dharma and therefore could not possibly know what would be the best for them to do in that situation.
Ask yourself, are you following the Dharma of your work?
[1] Advaita Vedanta – a Science of Consciousness
